End of an Era

In 1949, my grandfather bought a store in Deer Park, Ohio and started Deer Park Auto Parts, an independently-owned NAPA franchise. My dad eventually took over the business and built it into 3 stores total with 30+ employees.

This business was such a huge part of my family and my dad's identity for my entire life. It put me and my siblings through college and provided us with stability and a sense of pride that this was 'ours.' We worked there on and off throughout high school and college, and a number of my friends worked for NAPA at one time or another as well.

Even the ridiculous commercials (NAPA know-how? With a guy singing?) remind me of so many things from my life that are tied to this company, but more than anything else, this business was my dad. Seeing how he got up every day, went to work, and busted his ass to take care of his family and his employees was truly inspirational and one of the cornerstones of my life.

Since my dad died, I knew that the day would come when we would sell the business and move on. I'm so proud of my brother, who stepped up in ways I can't even describe to manage the business (all while going to grad school, raising 2 kids, working full time and maybe taking 2 or 3 minutes a day to relax), and my uncle, who came in as our general manager and kept the business stable these last 2 years. Both of them deserve more thanks than I know how to give, and I can't think of a better way they could honor my dad than by handling this company the way they did.

Deer Park Auto Parts is no longer my family business, and it's hard to see something so linked to my dad go away. I'll always be grateful for everything this business meant to my family, and so glad to see it taken over by people who care about both the company and the employees. My dad worried about his employees and what would happen to them up to the very end of his life, and I know he'd be so proud to see that they're all a part of a growing company, even one with a different name and new owners.

Saying goodbye is always difficult, but sometimes it's the best way to remember how much something has meant to you. I was always proud to work at NAPA alongside my dad, and it'll always be a part of our lives.

Total Badass

Everything I've ever done doesn't even come close to this dude:

He's Not Buyin It

Evan will have none of your shenanigans.

65

I've been struggling with today, Rusty's 65th birthday, for the last few days. I really debated whether to write anything or not. I finally decided on the walk home today to add a few words b/c if nothing else, I'm hoping it'll help me feel a little better. Totally selfish, but whatever...humans are selfish. Rusty would agree and understand.

Today's just a day. It's March 26th. A Monday. Totally insignificant for a million reasons. I woke up this morning and instantly felt kinda sad. It reminded me a little bit of the first few weeks/months after he died, when that was the first thing I thought about every day. As time went on, that happened less, but there are still days that it's my first thought. Today, though, it's been on my mind all day, really from the first minute I woke up.

So I guess I started thinking about what I missed the most about not having Rusty around any more. I have an old voicemail of his that I've saved for days like today, when I'm really struggling, and before I even listened to it, I had my answer...

I miss hearing his voice, and I miss him saying 'Hey' each time he answered the phone. I miss that second or two between when he answered the phone and before he said 'Hey' when I knew it was coming. He always sounded happy to hear from me, and that always made me feel pretty good. Even when we were going through some rough times as a family, he always sounded happy to hear from me, and he always answered the phone the same way.

Miss you, Dad. Every day.

Curbs

I did a backside smith slappy today in honor of this video:


Barker Barrett. Love Letter to Curbs teaser from Six Stair on Vimeo.


h/t CFlynn

Lurkin

In the shadows, of course. That way it's hard to see in which direction my shifty eyes are aimed.

This is the same wall I did a 2-foot high wallride on back in the day. I miss the Shepard Fairey art.

Photo by Chris Flynn

Rainspot Rebuilt

All kinds of new construction, along with some incredible street art, has been going down at rainspot. I got the new work camera out and after a few ugly shots, and a few reminders from a professional, I got a decent shot of Ryan blasting up this wall.

The photo really does no justice to how fast he was going. Still photography is limited like that, I guess.